Tag Archives: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

When In Doubt??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #498

11 Wednesday Nov 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Do You See What God Sees?, Doers or intenders?, Don't believe the Lies, Don't let fear of tomorrow ruin your today, Don't worry about tomorrow, Doubt and Confusion?, Drought & Patience?

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When In Doubt??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #498

One of the greatest examples of doubt-versus-faith comes from two saints of God, Joshua and Caleb.  They were in the minority, 2-10, but theirs was a response of faith, not doubt.  Can we stand and withstand in this evil day, no matter the crowd’s reaction or response.  A bit of a long passage, but I pray it will encourage you today and help you reject the doubt when God speaks to you; no matter the number who stand in opposition to you, or the number of giants that you see!  God is greater than anything that frightens you or causes you to doubt.  Remember Peter didn’t sink until he took his eyes off of Jesus!  Keep your focus on HIM!

“And they returned

from searching of the land after forty days.

26 And they went and came to Moses,

and to Aaron,

and to all the congregation

of the children of Israel,

unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh;

and brought back word unto them,

and unto all the congregation,

and shewed them the fruit of the land.

27 And they told him, and said,

We came unto the land

whither thou sentest us,

and surely it floweth

with milk and honey;

and this is the fruit of it.

28 Nevertheless the people be strong

that dwell in the land,

and the cities are walled,

and very great:

and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29 The Amalekites dwell

in the land of the south:

and the Hittites, and the Jebusites,

and the Amorites,

dwell in the mountains:

and the Canaanites

dwell by the sea,

and by the coast of Jordan.

30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses,

and said,

Let us go up at once, and possess it;

for we are well able to overcome it.

14:1 And all the congregation

lifted up their voice, and cried;

and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel

murmured against Moses and against Aaron:

and the whole congregation said unto them,

Would God that we had died

in the land of Egypt!

or would God

we had died in this wilderness!

3 And wherefore hath the LORD

brought us unto this land,

to fall by the sword,

that our wives and our children

should be a prey?

were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

4 And they said one to another,

Let us make a captain,

and let us return into Egypt.

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces

before all the assembly

of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 And Joshua the son of Nun,

and Caleb the son of Jephunneh,

which were of them that searched the land,

rent their clothes:

7 And they spake unto all the company

of the children of Israel,

saying,

The land, which we passed through

to search it,

 is an exceeding good land.

8 If the LORD delight in us,

then he will bring us into this land,

and give it us;

a land which floweth

with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD,

neither fear ye the people of the land;

for they are bread for us:

their defence is departed from them,

and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

10 But all the congregation bade stone them

with stones.

And the glory of the LORD

appeared in the tabernacle

of the congregation

before all the children of Israel.

11 And the LORD said unto Moses,

How long will this people provoke me?

And how long will it be ere they believe me,

for all the signs

which I have shewed among them?”                      Numbers 13:25-14:11

What is God saying about America?  About the American church?  About Americans professing His name but denying the power thereof?  Paul warned us about these times in which we are living; will you take heed to his words?

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, d

isobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded,

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

We are called to faith, hope, love and obedience to the God we claim to know.   If we are truly born again, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, therefore we ought not be denying the power of our God, His holiness or His grace to save us!

John also gives us a great message of truth, conviction and responsibility.  Are we walking in the Spirit, living by the power of God’s Word, and being a glory to this broken and lost world; or have we fallen into compromise with the world?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!

“For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.

18 Little children,

it is the last time:

and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,

even now are there many antichrists;

whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us,

but they were not of us;

for if they had been of us,

they would no doubt have continued with us:

but they went out,

that they might be made manifest

that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One,

and ye know all things.”  1 John 2:16-19–20

 Don’t be a faker, but a true child of God by the power of The Cross!  Jesus can and will save those who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  Even as Jesus himself said?  Do you know HIM?

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd.”  John 10:14-16

Amen and Amen!!!

Unified Or Divided??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

03 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Know not what they do, Knowing GOD, Knowing Truth, Lead them to Jesus., Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Let You Light So Shine, The Word, Trendy Or Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, unity or division?

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Unified Or Divided???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

I have a few thoughts to share with you this morning; most know I don’t get political, but I think we need to consider some things that The Word has to say about our attitude, especially toward the thing called “unity”!  I think we often misunderstand unity and confuse it with uniformity; unity means a oneness but not sameness.  As a nation, and especially the followers of Jesus, we need to stop throwing rocks, pray and consider scripture—not the personal version, but the biblical truths that stand the test of time, circumstance, and the human need for God!  We seem to have thrown out the baby with the bath water (look it up if you don’t know what that means!). I simply want to share some scripture for our consideration.  So drop your rocks for a minute or two and let’s peruse a scriptural perspective—not mine but God’s!  Unity calls us to uplift one another, even in our personal differences.

Unity isn’t uniformity—it is the uplifting and building up rather than tearing down with greed and avarice!  It is doing things for the common good, without violating or exchanging God’s principles for greed—avarice—and fleshly lust (as the detective shows always say, “follow the money”!). I pray that this will give us all some food for thought, knowing that we are called to follow scripture’s advice as followers of Jesus. The context in Ephesians 4 is in regard to the giftings that Jesus (via the Holy Spirit) gives to the church in regard to leadership—as those who prove things on the “testing grounds”! And just FYI, the reference to “perfect” is referring to spiritual maturity-not sinless perfection, which only Jesus has (See Hebrews 4:15 and Hebrews 9:28,) — in contrast to being “children”. (And if you’re curious Romans 3:23 and 6:23 remind us that all are sinners except for our Lord Jesus!)

“Till we all come

in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

This bears out the principle that Paul put forth to the Philippian believers, not a panacea, but a call to keep in mind that whatever Jesus leads us into, HE will provide for.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And the Apostle John recorded Jesus’ own words to us.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me, and I in him,

 the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

Are you with Jesus?  Or are you spinning your wheels trying to go your own way rather than the way that is down the “straight” road? (See Matthew 7:14-21, and notice the “many” and the “few”—where are you?)  What we often fail to consider is that when we stand with Jesus’ we will receive the same response that HE often provoked in those who were walking away from God.  We are to lift up without caving to the world’s sinful direction.  While it’s a great dilemma, it’s one that “in Jesus” we can accomplish—remembering what Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing”!

So, are you spreading unity or division?  It’s a quandary but we who belong to Jesus must stand for the truth, no matter the cost; and without throwing rocks, remembering Paul’s reminder that things are not going to get truly better, until the King of Kings arrives!  And notice that Paul said that “men shall be” not just “do”, but they will “be” evil!  We must never put unity over holiness, but at the same time we are not to spread “discord” (see Proverbs 6:19+)!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,

unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers,

false accusers, incontinent, fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded,

 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Yes, we are to be compassionate and a help to those in need, but we are not to be enablers of continual bad behavior.  We will never eliminate poverty, illness or sin—only Jesus can and will accomplish that when He returns, but until then we must be aware of the failures that we will deal with due to original sin! And we must understand that things are not always what they seem to be; Jesus made an amazing declaration to the disciples over an extravagant act toward Him!

“There came unto him a woman

having an alabaster box of very precious ointment,

and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it,

they had indignation, saying,

To what purpose is this waste?

9 For this ointment

might have been sold for much,

and given to the poor.

10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them,

Why trouble ye the woman?

for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11 For ye have the poor always with you;

but me ye have not always.

12 For in that she hath poured this ointment

on my body,

she did it for my burial.

13 Verily I say unto you,

Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

in the whole world,

there shall also this,

that this woman hath done,

be told for a memorial of her.”  Matthew 26:7-13

Don’t miss what Jesus didn’t say, He didn’t memorialize this woman, but He did declare what she had done to and for Him would be memorialized—for her love for Him and her willingness to give probably the greatest thing that she owned to honor Jesus; and she gave it without regard to what others might say!  Are we willing to pour ourselves out for Jesus, no matter the cost or the backlash?  We don’t know her name, but we do know that her extravagant love for Jesus is still talked about today.  What are we willing to give to Jesus, no matter what others may say?  I don’t have any “precious ointment”—but I do have me and whatever Jesus has given me to use—even those things that sometimes I’m clinging too tightly to!  How about you?

And as we think about serving others, we need to keep the proper perspective, and I’ll close with one of the greatest “misses” in trying to supposedly “serve God” one’s own way.  And while this is a lengthy passage, I believe it is worthy of our consideration; and please don’t miss what God’s Word says about rebellion (disobedience).  What blessings have we missed because we did it “my way” rather than God’s.  Let’s determine to be those who help bring unity, but never at the price of disobedience. (And remember that being a leader has a great call of responsibility— “to whom much is given, much is required…” See Luke 12:48.)=

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him,

Blessed be thou of the LORD:

I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

14 And Samuel said,

What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep

in mine ears,

and the lowing of the oxen

which I hear?

15 And Saul said,

They have brought them from the Amalekites:

for the people spared the best

of the sheep and of the oxen,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God;

and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

16 Then Samuel said unto Saul,

Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said

to me this night.

 And he said unto him, Say on.

17 And Samuel said,

When thou wast little in thine own sight,

wast thou not made the head

of the tribes of Israel,

and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey,

and said,

Go and utterly destroy

the sinners the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people

took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God

in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken

than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:13-23

May we be busy speaking God’s truth in love; may we pursue unity without leaving God’s Word and holiness behind.  May we see sin as sin, and help others see truth with love and kindness but not compromise.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

Did You See That??? What??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #234

01 Monday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Evil and Adulterous Generation?, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Looking up Or around?, Salvation, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Warfare, The Word, Victorious Living, Wise As Serpents, Witness

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Did You See That???  What??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #234

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.

9 And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.”  Isaiah 6:8-9

Isaiah was sent to preach to a people who would not heed his message!  We often get discouraged but we need to understand that even Jesus was rejected because He spoke God’s truth, and just like today, every man wants to walk his own way. Even as Solomon recorded, “there is no new thing under the sun…” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9,) we live in a day when even much of the church is rejecting God, His Son, His Word and His ways!  We must not let the unwillingness of others to hear or heed our words change our commitment, we must continue to proclaim the truth.  What are you hearing?  What are you seeing?  Are you allowing the world to dull your senses to the things of God?  Isaiah had even more to say from the Lord in this regard.

“That this is a rebellious people,

lying children,

children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

10 Which say to the seers,

See not;

and to the prophets,

Prophesy not unto us right things,

speak unto us smooth things,

prophesy deceits:

11 Get you out of the way,

turn aside out of the path,

cause the Holy One of Israel

to cease from before us.”  Isaiah 30:9-11

This could have been written to America just as easily as God told Isaiah to prophesy to the people of Judah.  Will we heed his word and open our ears and our eyes and judge with righteous judgment.  Or will we fall to the world’s ideology?  Jeremiah had the same message, just a little later down the road to this same people who had ignored and rejected Isaiah’s warnings; and this precious prophet of God was given the same message, and a warning that while God would protect him, the people would be against him, and for some forty years he proclaimed the warning to God’s people to repent or fall into captivity.  He could have been right here—right now.

“Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:” Jeremiah 5:21

I so love the book of Jeremiah, for it is so pertinent to us.  Oh, God, may we hear you?  Oh God, may we see you?  Oh God, may we heed your word?  Is God calling you?  Do you measure with God’s Word or the world’s standard?  Oh, my friends please heed the call.

“But the LORD said unto me,

Say not, I am a child:

for thou shalt go to all

that I shall send thee,

and whatsoever I command thee

thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces:

for I am with thee to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand,

and touched my mouth.

And the LORD said unto me,

Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee

over the nations

and over the kingdoms,

to root out,

and to pull down,

and to destroy,

and to throw down,

to build,

and to plant.”  Jeremiah 1:7-10

May we heed the call to share God’s truth as God gives us opportunity; whether it be in the small things, the big things, in our homes—first and foremost–in our churches, in our interaction with others.  And more than anything else may we bathe our hearts and lives with prayer—real Spirit led, heart-felt, earnest prayer for our own path as well as the salvation, holiness, and maturity of God’s own. Remember my friends, if we don’t see the peril we can’t escape it, and we are called to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves”, we are to love and be kind, but trust is something that must be proved and earned!  (Just say’n, as the kids say!) The peril is at hand!  Are your eyes trained to see truth?

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Don’t be afraid to disagree with untruth!  Don’t be afraid to excuse yourself!  Remember Joseph ran when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him—we can follow his example, and run from sin, temptation and lies.  We can stand fast without being rude or unkind—but firm yet gentle!  May God open our eyes and our ears to be in tune with HIS way not man’s.  Do you know the shepherd?  I pray that you do; and if you don’t you can.  If you hear His voice respond in repentance and faith in Jesus’ own substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s On YOUR Mind??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, False Lives, Father of lies, Idolatry, IN HIS TIME!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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What’s On YOUR Mind???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

I’m kind of changing course in the middle of the stream; I really wanted to continue in Jeremiah but feel impressed of The Lord to share some difficult things that I hope God can use to touch our hearts and lead us to examine ourselves and the things that we surround ourselves with, as well as the things to which we give our time, effort, trust, and devotion.  The truth is God’s Word IS TRUTH, no matter how we feel about it.  May we each pray for God to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to have HIS view on life, liberty, and our pursuits?

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139: 23-24

We all make choices every day, and Jesus warns us of the danger of wrong choices–may we heed His words and choose wisely by HIS Spirit and not our own earthly “vision”!

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

Jesus goes on in chapter 7 to warn us (still part of His Sermon on The Mount):

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”  Matthew 7:13-15

Paul comes along and warns us of the dangers that will come, and my friends, we are there; his list is like reading the daily news, but it seems that we have become so accustomed to the lies of the enemy of our souls, that we don’t even recognize the danger–we seem to be “getting used to the dark”!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

 unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

When we read Jeremiah and Lamentations we see a sad reality–that even as Jesus said when He talked to Nicodemus, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…”; and we are no different!  We have allowed the ease and comfort of a prosperous (and yes even we who aren’t what we think wealthy, are part of the 2% of the wealthiest peoples in the world-if we own a refrigerator!) environment, and a church that has been more willing to accommodate sin, than to call us to biblical righteousness!  Go through this list above and think of your own life, the life of those inside our churches, the things that we accept every day because it’s ok to ‘go along to get along’!

I’d like to just name a few things that you might want to take note of and see what you think about them, and then ask, “why” you think it’s ok or not?  Is it a biblical decision or a cultural one–things that we have seen and heard so much, have been incorporated into our culture, our lives and even the very Church of Jesus Christ our Lord!  God forbid!  Think of these popular buzz words and activities, and how far we have come from the truth of God’s Word, all by ourselves; or so we think.  Remember Paul’s words that called us to prepare by putting on that armor of God, “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil….that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…” (from Ephesians 6:10-18)!  I can’t help but think that we have laid down on the job rather that “standing” with, for, and through the “power of HIS might”!

Won’t you think with me through a few things that I think worth considering/questioning.

Modesty? —

what is left unseen (male and female) …

Integrity? —

telling the truth in all things, keeping our word…

Biblical view of sexuality? —

“God created them male and female…” (Read Genesis 1-3)

Honesty? —

not taking what’s not ours, rendering unto Caesar, giving good measure (working 8 hours for 8 hours pay?), paying our debts (financial and moral)

Zen? —

a real buzz word today, but do you know it’s part of Buddhism?  Would God call this idolatry?

Yoga? —

I’ll lose some of you here, but check out the origin and determine what you are opening your “mind” to (remember, “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” see Philippians 2:5-11) Pantheism maybe?

 Drugs? —

What substances are we putting into our bodies– For medicine,       relief, ecstasy, laziness (we don’twant to face life God’s way, to live by faith rather than sight?), indulgence, addiction??

 Love yourself first? —

Let me simply say, ‘find that in The Word’.  If we’ll “love The Lord your God with ALL…” (See Matthew 22:37+), love God first, confident that HE loves me enough to give “His only begotten Son” to die for my salvation…  then I can rest in HIS love and follow HIS lead…

These seem like such small, relatively, unimportant things, but it only takes a pinhole (unstopped) to sink a ship.  And the danger is revealed by Jesus Himself, in His letter to the church at Laodicea–and whether we are there or just close is up for debate, the danger is real.  Please know that I write from a heart of love and concern, and not a ‘pocket full of rocks’!

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

These things saith the Amen,

the faithful and true witness,

the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked…”  Revelation 3:14-17

Here is a church that thought they had “need of nothing” –not even Jesus!  How do I know?  If you go on down and read verse 20, you’ll see that Jesus is knocking at the door to get into HIS own church! Will we open the door to the Master or continue to lock HIM out?  I pray that God will use His Word to open our hearts, minds, and lives to HIS Word that we may have ears that hear and yield to HIM!!!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

May we hear God’s voice today.

Amen and Amen!!!

What “Form” Of Godliness??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #62

18 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Following Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Which form?

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What “Form” Of Godliness???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #62

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Paul was instructing this young pastor in many things, including verse 2:15 where he instructed him to “study to shew yourself approved UNTO GOD” (emphasis mine), and then as he continues in chapter 3, he reminds him of the veracity (look it up!) of scripture, and its power to establish our way.  So what is this “form of godliness”?  I think it is the very thing that Jesus talks about in Matthew chapter 7, those who want to impress, succeed, progress, profit, or fit in–regardless of their reasons– those who want to do it their way, but claim to be working “for God” but “denying the power thereof”!  Those who aren’t willing to come to God and let Him work in or through them, for they are too busy doing it ”my way”!  Just as it was then, it is still the same today.  Let’s see what Jesus said about it.

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

I believe that “form of godliness” is the work we do “without” Jesus!  You can talk the talk, and even pretend to walk the walk, but without really knowing and possessing Jesus, and being HIS child, you/I can do little of real value, and virtually of no value to the kingdom of God.  In fact Jesus told Nicodemus something very similar to this– he was a high-placed religious leader– which reminds us that we can have men’s credentials without having Jesus!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

The Apostle John also wrote about this in chapter 1.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Remember the “power” that was denied in 2 Timothy 3 is the power that saves; and just as John says above it’s not by blood (birth, relationships), not by flesh (working it up), nor the will of man (passed on by any other person)!  As the old proverb says, “every pot must sit on its own bottom”!  What are you counting on?  Let’s see what Jesus says.

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he

that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

Earlier in this chapter Jesus makes another profound assessment of life choices, which is still true today!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

So, my question for us all is, “Do you/I only have a “form of godliness”?” Or have you been “born again” by the blood of the Lamb which cleanses us from all sin, for Jesus is THE ONLY WAY!

“For all have sinned,

 and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Amen and Amen!!!